As riders and a law firm that represents riders, the attorneys and staff of Hupy and Abraham are committed to making sure that all riders’ rights are respected. Below is a sampling of how we’ve fought to protect riders’ rights.
Riders Allowed to Wear Insignias at Summerfest
When Attorney Michael F. Hupy negotiated with Summerfest officials and their attorneys to allow members of the Outlaws Milwaukee Motorcycle Club to wear their insignias at Summerfest, he pointed out the real problem. It was youth gangs, not members of the motorcycle club, that engaged in malicious mischief, including assault, vandalism and robbery. Hupy suggested that the public be educated about the fact that the Outlaws have never caused a problem at Summerfest in 25 years, and the presence of riders wearing Outlaws Milwaukee insignias might cause someone to think twice before starting trouble.
Although Hupy's idea for a public education program was given the cold shoulder, the Outlaw mascot returned to Summerfest this year. No problems were caused by anyone wearing Outlaws club insignias.
Hupy and Abraham Successful In Another Rider Discrimination Case
Hudson, Wisconsin, is a small town in northwestern Wisconsin, situated on the St. Croix River. It's become a tourist destination and many riders visit the area because of the scenic nature of the St. Croix Valley. A motorcycle group known as the St. Croix Valley Riders frequents the area between Wisconsin and Minnesota and conducted meetings of their group in a local bar known as Dibbo’s. The bar had some problems during a 2007 motorcycle event, according to police, and the new chief asked the City of Hudson to impose rules on the bar in order to maintain its liquor license. Among the rules, the bar would be required to install video cameras, enforce a “no colors” policy, refuse to allow motorcycle groups to meet at the bar, and inform police of the activities or arrival of bike groups to Hudson.
The St. Croix Valley Riders contacted Hupy and Abraham because they wanted to continue to hold meetings at the bar and they questioned the legality of some of the restrictions placed on the bar. Although a business can place certain requirements on patrons, it appeared the tactics being used by the City of Hudson amounted to coercion. Hupy and Abraham was prepared to move forward with a federal lawsuit against the City of Hudson on behalf of the St. Croix Valley Riders. During negotiations, Attorney Michael Hupy was prepared to travel to Hudson to speak with the Chief of Police and the City Council. Although no meeting took place, Hupy and Abraham, S. C. and the City Attorney’s office continued to discuss the matter. Hudson City Attorney, Catherine Munkittrick, wrote a letter to Dibbo’s on August 3, 2007, in which she expresses that Dibbo’s has the responsibility to enforce any policies it adopts as it deems necessary and appropriate, which is to say the matter is left up to the bar, not the City, as it should be.
The St. Croix Valley Riders report that they are once again allowed to conduct their meetings at the bar, thus eliminating the need to move forward with any litigation.
The fight to protect riders’ rights has not yet ended. Discrimination against riders still exists,and as long as riders face discrimination, our attorneys will fight against it.
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